In the 11-year period of 2005 through 2015, canines killed 360 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 64% (232) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Monday, December 29, 2008

Dade County, FL - On May 16, 1945, Doretta Zinke was savagely killed by a pack of pit bulls in the state of Florida. Headlines of the grisly attack covered newspapers across the county. Authorities seized and killed Joe Munn's 27 dogs. Deputy Sheriff Mark Richardson testified that Munn admitted he had been raising fighting dogs and that he knew the dogs were vicious. Munn was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in jail. He served one year and was released on parole.

Ten years later, we learn that he continued to raise dangerous bulldogs. In 1955, two of Munn's dogs bolt out of his dry cleaning establishment and attack a senior citizen's dog. Harry Smalley, 73, tried to save his dog, and by doing so, got injured in the attack. Munn tells reporters that the recent attack was "something that happens once in a million years." This is after his previous set of dogs killed a human being, bit children and attacked horses and their riders.

In the lifespan of Munn, how many people and pets did his dogs injure or kill? This is a question that can't easily be answered. Based on his track record, however, we can presume quite a few. Dog laws didn't effectively deal with Munn in the last century and few laws do in our century today. In the mass majority of cities, "repeat offending" owners of dangerous dogs are free to buy and breed these animals after multiple serious and even fatal attacks.

In the 2007 deadly attack of Jennifer Lowe, the dogs had previously been deemed dangerous. Knox County animal control said they "routinely" checked on the dogs owned by Charles Smallwood. Jennifer Lowe, 21, suffered the grave misfortune of being left alone in his house with the dogs. She paid with her life. After the attack, authorities killed Smallwood's 5 dogs. It was not long, however, that rumors sprung up saying Smallwood had purchased brand new pit bulls.

The only unique aspect to the 1945 fatal mauling is that Munn was convicted within days of the crime and actually served one year in jail.

04/03/55: Man Tells Cops 'Killer' Dogs Attacked HimMIAMI, Fla., April 2 (AP) -- Harry Smalley, 73, complained to police today that a bulldog belonging to Joe Munn bit him severely Thursday.Munn, 54, was sentenced to five years for manslaughter in 1947 because his pit bulls bit Mrs. Doretta Zinke to death. Munn served a year and was released on parole.The dog owner said the newest incident was "very unfortunate; something that happens once in a million years." He said only one of his two dogs was involved.SMALLEY DECLARED that he was walking his own dog Patsy, when Munn's animals ran from his dry cleaning establishment and attacked the leashed canine. Smalley tried to drive them off, and said one of the animals bit his arm and finger.Passersby took off their coats and beat the dogs off, it was reported. Smalley was treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital and released.Mrs. Zinke was literally torn to pieces May 16, 1945, by a pack of pit bulls. Fifteen of Munn's dogs were ordered shot after that incident.

11 comments:

Anonymous | 12/29/2008 1:08 PM | Flag"Knox County animal control said they "routinely" checked on the dogs owned by Charles Smallwood"

If Animal Control takes on the task of personally monitoring people's dogs, Animal Control and the city or county bear FULL RESPONSIBILITY if something happens

(When did taxpayers start paying for dogsitting through Animal Control?)

Anonymous | 12/29/2008 4:24 PM | FlagSo next time I'm help up at an appointment, I can call AC and have them come over and walk my dog for me?I'll make sure the blue bags are with the leash so they can pick up after him, too. Or do they only dogsit pits?

Anonymous | 12/29/2008 6:20 PM | FlagAttack someone, ONE BITE FREE in some states! Mauler goes back to its owner. Attack a police cruiser, here come the sirens and "Dangerous Dog" orders...WITH these orders, comes personal dogsitting; showing a dog owner what a "leash" is and what a "dog pen" is. If the dog owner cannot read, which appears to the case in the instance of Smallwood, a 6-week course in READING is also provided free of cost.

Dawn | 12/30/2008 12:10 AM | FlagYes, animal control routinely checks on dogs. That's what they say in public but what do they say in private?

http://www.thepitbull-place.com/index/viewtopic.php?p=159780#p159780

Re: Urgent Situation in Tacomaby Diane on Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:17 pm

Could she maybe ditch a few of the dogs and then sneak them back in a month or so? Believe me, AC doesn't check back.

Anonymous | 12/30/2008 10:03 AM | FlagHere is a great article about a new city councelor in North Plains Oregon. She is an experienced dog handler and trainer of hunting Labs, as well as a former kennel manager.

"You are a pit bull fan, or you care more about protecting people," Ogan said. "In the past 20 years, people, men, criminals, drug dealers, et cetera have bred them to be more aggressive."

The dogs are legal weapons, Ogan says, pointing to several recent reports of pit bull attacks across the Portland metro area.

"What's happening is, everybody you talked to that's pro-pit bull says it's not the dog's fault, it's the owner's fault," Ogan said. "If we choose to believe that they are correct - why did the person choose a pit bull out of the other breeds available?"

Felony | 12/30/2008 2:01 PM | FlagThe woman has been so traumatized by the violent attack, she will no longer walk her dogs in public. Exactly where are the "humane advocates" for canine victims of pit bulls?

THE CURS DON'T MATTER TO THEM!Anything that is NOT pit bull, does NOT matter. You know, kind of like the Germans during the early 1900's. If it wasn't a GERMAN, it didn't matter!